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President Donald Trump acknowledged Friday that his repeated campaign promise to end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours was “a little bit sarcastic,” though he remains confident in his ability to broker peace.
During an interview for the “Full Measure” television program, Trump clarified his remarks after being pressed on why the war remains ongoing 54 days into his second term.
“Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that,” Trump admitted in a clip released ahead of the full episode airing Sunday. “What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled, and I think I’ll be successful.”
Trump’s Repeated Promise to End the War Quickly
Trump frequently touted his ability to end the conflict within a day while on the campaign trail. At a CNN town hall in May 2023, he stated:
“They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.”
During his September 2023 debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump doubled down on his claim, suggesting that he would negotiate peace even before taking office:
“That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president. If I win, when I’m president-elect, and what I’ll do is I’ll speak to one, I’ll speak to the other. I’ll get them together.”
However, as the war enters its third year, his administration is still working on ceasefire negotiations, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff meeting with Russian officials in Moscow this week.
Trump Still Confident Putin Will Accept Ceasefire
When asked during the interview what his plan would be if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to agree to a ceasefire, Trump gave a somber response:
“Bad news for this world because so many people are dying.”
However, he remains optimistic about his ability to reach an agreement with Putin:
“But I think, I think he’s going to agree. I really do. I think I know him pretty well, and I think he’s going to agree.”
Reality vs. Campaign Rhetoric
Trump’s admission of sarcasm marks a rare acknowledgment of exaggeration from the president, who has a history of making bold, sweeping promises on the campaign trail.
While his administration is actively engaging in peace talks, his initial assertion that he could resolve the war immediately appears to have been more rhetorical than realistic.
With the war still ongoing and Putin’s stance on negotiations uncertain, the success of Trump’s diplomatic approach remains to be seen.
